[zoemonster]

Yes I wouldnt call my baby that. I need a new surname. Divorced and dont like my maiden name as its an m name that sounds awkward with it. Any suggestions from people who are good

[kerilyntaryn]

I know a Melinda Wilson and a Melinda Thompson

others

Jones
James
Johnson
Franklin
Anderson
Cameron
Davis
George
Jackson
Lewis
Duncan
Matthew
Oliver
Rayner
Snow
Hughes
Lucas
Ellis
Trustcott

This post has been edited by kerilyntaryn: 30/12/2012, 09:06 AM

[Mz*Chievous1]

Am in exactly the same predicament myself... I am actually changing my name to my great grandmothers maiden name so that I still have a family link, does any of your family tree names appeal to you?

[pickledbrain]

Grab a phone book, close your eyes, open it to a page and point at a name. That's your new one!

My friend did that and actually ended up with a surname that was perfect for her.

[Sassy Girl]

What about your mother's birth name or another surname from your family tree ? If I was changing my birth surname (I would never take DH's surname just like he will never take mine) I'd go for something in my family tree. Thankfully I have always loved my birth surname.

I did however change my birth first name as I hated it. I chose something from my cultural background.

[SarahM72]

Do you want to be hard to find? Pick a very common surname like Smith or Jones.

Or do you want to stand out? Then pick an uncommon surname like Hollingberry or Ravensdale.

[la di dah]

Do you have a cultural background you'd like to embrace even as you scrap the particular name?

I've known a number of people who don't want their particular name but aren't actually looking to bland it right out to Smith.

In addition to family tree surnames, there's family tree first names? Many have surname forms, Jacobs, Alexander, Rose, Blythe...? Or something-son etc.

Melinda Winter would be pretty. But I like nature names so yeah.

This post has been edited by la di dah: 30/12/2012, 06:04 PM

[Jenflea]

How about something to go with your profession or calling? Baker, miller etc.

ooh pick the name of your favourite crush(movie or sportsman or real life) and pretend you're married? Like when you'd write your name with his in primary school.

[Gudrun]

Yeah, make a list of your favourite given names (male and female) and choose the one that fits best with Melinda and make that your new surname.

Conversely it might work to just drop the surname off and use your middle name as last name.

Or use your mother's/grandmother's given name (look at firsts and middles) etc as your surname eg Melinda Verity. Or a given name from the male line eg Melinda Douglas. You could use a possessive marker on a name eg Melinda Johns/ Melinda Peterson/ Melinda O'Neil. I'm using Anglo Saxon examples but from wherever...

ETA Or a place eg where you were born or where your family heralds from. Or job an ancestor did. Or month you were born. Favourite flower. Favourite colour. Favourite gem. Season (but not Autumn, doesn't go with Melinda).

This post has been edited by Gudrun: 30/12/2012, 06:28 PM

[la di dah]

Alternately pick a name from a culture you'd like to justify future baby names for.